Lobaria oregana
Encyclopedia
Lobaria oregana, also known as lettuce lichen, is a species of foliose lichen
occurring in North American old-growth forests, such as the Hoh Rainforest
in Washington State. Taking its common name
from its lettuce-like appearance, the lichen grows in the tree canopy but falls to the forest floor, where it is consumed by deer, elk, and other animals. The species was first described by American botanist Edward Tuckerman
in 1874 as Sticta oregana, and later (1889) transferred to the genus Lobaria
by Swiss lichen specialist Johannes Müller Argoviensis
.
Lichen
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic organism composed of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner , usually either a green alga or cyanobacterium...
occurring in North American old-growth forests, such as the Hoh Rainforest
Hoh Rainforest
The Hoh Rainforest is located on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington state, USA. It is one of the few temperate rainforests in the U.S., and also one of the largest. Within Olympic National Park, the forest is protected from commercial exploitation. This includes of low elevation forest ...
in Washington State. Taking its common name
Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
from its lettuce-like appearance, the lichen grows in the tree canopy but falls to the forest floor, where it is consumed by deer, elk, and other animals. The species was first described by American botanist Edward Tuckerman
Edward Tuckerman
Edward Tuckerman was an American botanist and professor who made significant contributions to the study of lichens and other alpine plants. He was a founding member of the Natural History Society of Boston and most of his career was spent at Amherst College...
in 1874 as Sticta oregana, and later (1889) transferred to the genus Lobaria
Lobaria
Lobaria is a genus of lichens commonly known as "lungwort" or "lung moss" as their physical shape somewhat resembles a lung. Lobaria species are unusual in that they have a three-part symbiosis, containing a fungus, an alga and a cyanobacterium, the presence of the cyanobacterium allowing nitrogen...
by Swiss lichen specialist Johannes Müller Argoviensis
Johannes Müller Argoviensis
Johannes Müller Argoviensis was the name used by the Swiss botanist Johann Müller . He was the monographer of Resedaceae, Apocynaceae and Euphorbiaceae in A. P. de Candolle's Prodromus and Martius's Flora Brasiliensis. He was also an authority on lichens.-References:...
.